Get the basic information you need for living in Japan as a woman by browsing the menu to the left. All information is based on the number one bestselling book
Being A Broad in Japan: everything a Western woman needs to survive and thrive.
Further information can be found in the book, or join our active discussion board, where you can post questions, share experiences, or discuss any issues relevant to your life in Japan.
Tokyo English Life Line, TELL, has served the international community for over 33 years, and some of their wealth of accumulated knowledge and information is now available, packaged into a pocket-sized resource. Tell me about Tokyo is a vital companion in any situation, placing invaluable resources and services at your fingertips. The 12 chapters of this essential handbook and directory covers legal, medical and religious services supporting the foreign community, as well as resources for employment, daily living and more. Whether you are new to Tokyo or a more seasoned expatriate, or just visiting, this valuable handbook and directory is a vital resource for everything you need to know about life in this city. Tell me about Tokyo retails for 1,000 yen, and 100% of book sales are donated directly to TELL. Order your copy now by visiting the TELL website Here
Check out our best-selling book - Being A Broad which includes everything you need to make the most out of your life: case studies of Western women working in almost 50 different types of jobs; anecdotes from many of the 250 Western women interviewed; profiles of 23 women’s organisations; essential Japanese words and phrases; and indispensable resource sections listing telephone numbers and Websites for English-speaking housing agencies, banks, doctors, dentists, gynaecologists, therapists, lawyers, maternity classes, day care centres, employment agencies, labour unions, graduate schools, and MORE.
An essential book for any Western woman living in Japan.
]]>The main thing to remember, especially with respect to old friends and family, is that you have changed. You are not the same person, but your friends and family will expect you to be. It’s a gradual process of reacclimatisation.
You might be bursting with stories of your adventures and your wonderful foreign friends but, unfortunately, most will not listen for very long and will never truly understand. It can be disappointing, but expect it.
If you are in a relationship with someone you met in Japan, this means your relationship is ‘Japan-defined’ and you may have specific issues to deal with. If you are single and have felt somewhat ‘ignored’ during your life in Japan, you may find the possible burst of attention a welcome relief. You may have to relearn your sense of personal safety; your hometown is probably not as safe as where you lived in Japan. If you have children, then remember that they are experiencing the same reverse culture shock that you are, but may be quicker to adapt to their new surroundings.
Focus on the positive aspects of your new life! Huge trees, sidewalks not covered with people, and land with nothing built on it. Walking into a bookstore and being able to read the books!
It is common to develop confused feelings towards your home after being in Japan, and it is difficult to justify them. It seems natural for you to have strange feelings when you come to Japan because it is so different from home; nobody expects to feel like an alien in their hometown with the people they have known all their lives. But remember that it is OKAY to see your home culture differently, critically, and to reject things that once were commonplace to you. It is okay to question your own culture just like you questioned Japanese culture when you first arrived.
You made a life in Japan; you can make a life at home again too.
]]>Give yourself ample time to do and see all the things you missed but wanted to do. Forget about the expense just go do it. It’s not likely you will be back for a visit as soon as you think. And take that trip to the souvenir shop that you always do for your friends and family when you go back on holiday and this time stock up for yourself.
Before you leave, research your destination as well as you researched Japan before coming, whether you are returning home or going to a different place. Let people know you are coming well in advance, including prospective employers, as well as friends and family.
In terms of practicalities, you may need to hand in your notice for your job and apartment is polite and in some cases mandatory that you do this about three months in advance. Unnecessarily leaving in a rush and on bad terms won’t help your feelings when you look back on your life in Japan. Utility companies need to be contacted, bills settled, bank accounts closed, and debts paid (including ward tax). Your telephone line and household furniture you will not be taking with you can be sold via classified advertisements. Plan this well in advance and just give it away if you can’t sell it.
You are supposed to submit your alien registration card at the airport, one final act showing that you really are leaving Japan. When you submit your alien registration card, your ward tax record will be checked and you will be required to pay any money owing.
]]>Not only can you discover a Japan outside of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s business world NOT the real Japan but you can also meet people from SO many cultures while advancing your own studies.
A variety of courses are available, although those most popular with Western women are business, Japanese language, or education related. You can study full time or part time, for several weeks or for years. Non-degree courses are available, as well as master’ s or doctorate degrees.
Short courses (e.g., eight weeks) resulting in certification tend to be reasonably priced (around ¥40,000), although degrees tend to be expensive. For an MBA you can expect to pay several million yen. Sponsorships are also available; check with the individual universities and organisations in your home country.
]]>You can study Japanese wherever you live in Japan, but in the big cities, especially Tokyo, actually practising what you have learnt requires real effort. People who live in the countryside tend to become fluent in Japanese after a few years out of sheer necessity, while people who live in Tokyo for over ten years sometimes speak only basic Japanese, but find that it doesn’t limit their lives at all. Basic English is so widely spoken in Tokyo that it can be difficult to justify the effort of learning Japanese while managing a hectic lifestyle.
There are many schools established to teach foreigners Japanese. Class size varies, as do tuition fees, but they are usually reasonable. Hours are usually flexible, and some schools have many different programs to suit your level and schedule, including intensive courses. Many of the universities offer Japanese courses that are highly regarded. Each ward also holds very cheap Japanese classes for foreign residents. As with so many things, it’s best to go to a recommended school or ask friends.
Many Western women wanting to learn Japanese feel that Japanese teachers are unable to teach in a way that encourages foreigners who are interested in communication rather than rote memorisation. Unfortunately it can be difficult for foreigners studying Japanese to find a place where they can practise ‘real’ Japanese conversation or to find a method of studying that will allow them to do this. Again, ask friends for recommendations.
Private Japanese teachers are not much more expensive than enrolling in a school and, if you choose carefully, you may find one who is flexible and experienced enough to meet your needs. Some Western women found that their Japanese teachers became good friends and general ‘guides’ to living in Japan.
You often see classified advertisements for people who want to practise their English and let you practise your Japanese. Exchanges may be useful for making friends, but the system rarely works to improve your Japanese. You will likely find that most of the language exchange time is spent speaking English you may not have much Japanese taught to you, never mind a chance to practise speaking it. If you find this happening to you, then try to be strict about the amount of time allocated to communicating in each language.
Many Western women recommend self-study as the best method for learning Japanese. Textbooks, kanji cards, listening to the people around you, refusing to speak English with Japanese people and plain hard work are all beneficial.
]]>Smaller businesses that generate less than three million yen a year don’t need to be incorporated formally in Japan. In fact, most Japanese lawyers say that businesses don’t need to incorporate unless it generates a profit of ten million yen a year. But small businesses do need to file tax returns every March. In this situation, hire a Japanese accountant to prepare all documents necessary for the tax office or hope that a friendly tax officer will assist you in completing the forms.
There are three types of ‘formal’ businesses in Japan, each one requiring a different amount of ‘start-up capital’, which actually only has to sit in the bank for a week. There are several business consultants/lawyers who can help you through this process, including lending you the money needed just to get through the paperwork.
Regarding start-up capital, most Western women let their businesses start slowly, and allow the income generated to determine the rate of growth. Work out how much money you will need to get started; in most cases having enough to cover printing costs for business cards and publicity material and the fees for some networking meetings is sufficient. Depending on the nature of your business, you may require a more substantial amount of money, and if you are not in a position to use your own money, then you need to look for investors or approach a bank. Japanese banks will extend low-interest loans for business purposes to foreigners, but getting the bank to agree to the loan is a long and difficult process. You will need a Japanese guarantor and must provide a detailed explanation (in Japanese) of why you need the money.
]]>All employment laws in Japan apply equally to foreigners and Japanese nationals. However, as with so many things in Japan, you may get the impression that these are laws on paper only, that they are not strictly enforced and that employers aren’t penalised if the laws are not adhered to.
Your employer must provide you with a contract, the period of which cannot exceed one year. By law, this contract should include your pay, hours, safety, dismissal procedures, holidays, etc.; however, in practice, some contracts contain only the most basic information. The employer must also provide a copy of the company rules, and you are within your rights to request an English translation of it. Your employer must pay you in cash. This money must be paid directly to you (bank transfer is the most common method) at least once a month on a specified date. Full-time employees are eligible for certain company benefits such as sick leave, holiday leave, company insurance schemes, and reimbursement of transportation costs. Benefits for part-time employees and contract workers vary.
If you have a problem with your employer, contact the Tokyo Bar Association; they can provide you with free legal counselling. There are also several private lawyers who can advise and represent you during any negotiations. Be aware that court cases are rarely resorted to in Japan; most people settle disputes privately.
To form a union you need four members at your place of work. There are also some regional and national unions that represent certain sectors of the foreign community that are ideal for self-employed individuals or for people who are the only foreigners at their company and would like some support. Your union can become an affiliate of the National Union of General Workers, which will then support and advise you, as well as negotiate on your behalf.
Note: Some employers may request your passport, telling you that it is for ‘safekeeping’. This may happen if you are brought to Japan to work in the entertainment industry as a dancer or hostess and will be staying in accommodation provided by your employer. Under no circumstances should you hand over your passport. Apart from the fact that a foreigner is expected to have their passport on their person at all times, if there is a problem with your work and you wish to terminate your contract, it may be difficult to get your passport back.
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